Peabody…….

Austin M. Ruane, Jr., age 87, husband of the late Beatrice "Betty" (Endslow) Ruane, formerly of Emerson Ave., Peabody, died Wednesday evening surrounded by his family.

He was born, raised and educated in Salem the son of the late Austin and Sarah (Dunn) Ruane, Sr. An accomplished athlete, he was graduated from Salem High School and served in the United States Army. During World War II, Mr. Ruane was involved in the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge where he received the Purple Heart and he was also a member of the Army's boxing team and baseball team.

Following his discharge he worked in the chemical industry with Dewey and Almy of Cambridge and later in his career was employed by the Archdiocese of Boston at Bishop Fenwick High School until his retirement.

Mr. Ruane is survived by four children Michael Ruane and his wife Elizabeth of Wenham, MA, Mark Ruane of Hauppauge, NY, Kathleen Bushee and her husband Steven of Melrose and Diane Anderson and her husband Shawn of Tewksbury, MA; a brother Leo Ruane and his wife Janice of Marietta, GA; two sisters Theresa Ruane of Salem and Sr. Anne Monica Ruane, S.N.D of Ipswich; ten grandchildren Colin, Justin, Caitlin, Erin, Kevin, Alison, Christopher, Hannah, Shawn, and Ryan and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother Thomas Ruane.

His funeral will be held on Monday at 10:30 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. in St. James Church, 161 Federal St., Salem.. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be immediately before the funeral Monday from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund, P.O Box 2718, Amherst, MA 01004-2718/www.mslfund.org. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.